Family counselling service

Family counselling service case: a journal number is created for every client unit that the family counselling service works with. Client unit is defined as all persons involved in the same case or subject, for example couples, families or individuals. If another counsellor is brought in, and for instance gives one of the parties a different course of counselling on an individual basis, this is defined as a separate case and is given a new journal number. It is considered appropriate to establish a separate case in such cases even where the same counsellor is dealing with both the couple’s case and the individual’s case. Cases that are completed may be reopened within 6 months of the last contact. Where more than 6 months has elapsed, a new journal number must be created. In the event that a client makes contact again within the 6 month time limit, but this time because of another problem (e.g. first marital problems and then cooperation in connection with a child), a new journal must also be created. Conversations with children within the framework of mediation are not to be registered as a journal. When the mediation is completed, any follow-up/subsequent conversations are registered as a journal.

A case must have at least one counselling session during the year in order to be included in the statistics.

Primary client: the person who makes initial contact with the office is registered as the primary client. If the case relates to, for example, a couple, and both attend the counselling session, the person who made initial contact is regarded as the primary client and the other person is regarded as the main interlocutor. If the person who makes contact is a child under 18, he/she is regarded as a primary client and any parents or other parties participating in meetings are regarded as interlocutors. Where the mother/father contacts the office in connection with a case that, for example, deals with a child’s substance abuse, the mother/father is registered as the primary client and the child as the main interlocutor.

Topics in the meetings: the primary client’s main reason for contacting the family counselling service is registered. The topics discussed in the counselling sessions during the year are also registered. As from 2013, there are 18 different topics that can be registered.

Clinical groups: Groups created by family counselling offices, with a reason for treatment. Participants in these groups have a client status. This differs from courses and groups organised for the public, which is part of the family counselling offices’ external activities.

Cause of enquiry: Following the re-adjustment of the statistics in 2013, the number of categories for the cause of enquiry has been reduced to four main categories, based on what the main client states as the reason for making contact. Instead, more detailed information is collected on the main subject of the cases.

Main subject: From 2013, data is collected on the main topic/main subject of the family counselling. The executive officer selects the main subject based on the main focus in the cases from the case officer’s point of view.

Main actions in the counseling: the measures that the counselor considers to be the most important in the case are registered here. This should be viewed in conjunction with who has been involved in the meetings. Although the client specifies a topic in relation to his/her partner as the most important reason for contacting the office, the main action may be individual meetings.

Employee: all employees in the county authority family counselling service are registered; full-time and part-time employees, specialists, office personnel and administration personnel. Part-time employees are converted to full-time equivalents (FTEs). Where temporary staff are brought in as cover for permanent staff, the education of the temporary staff is registered as opposed to that of the person on leave. This definition is changed from 2013. (See Man-Years)

Man-Years: A new definition of man-years was introduced in the family counselling statistics in 2013. The man-years corresponds to the sum of the number of full-time employees and part-time employees converted to full-time equivalents, excluding man-years lost due to sickness absence and parental leave. Man-years cover agreed working hours.

Outreach activities: all measures that the family counselling service has implemented during the reporting year are included. The number of measures implemented by the office during the reporting year and the total number of FTEs are registered. Outreach activities are made up of: Groups for the public; Relationship enhancement courses; Other measures for users; Information/guidance of students; Consultation/guidance of the support service; Courses/information of the support service; Information to the media.

Mediation

The number of mediation cases completed in the relevant year by government-approved family counselling offices and external mediators under the provisions of the Marriage Act and Children Act. Mediation cases started at the end of the year that have not yet been completed are included in the statistics the following year. Mediation is mandatory for married couples with children under 16 upon separation/divorce (Marriage Act) and for cohabitees with children under 16 who separate (Children Act). Parents with children under 16 must also attend mediation before proceedings can be initiated concerning parental responsibility, the child’s permanent residence and access arrangements. This is registered in the mediation statistics as mediation according to the Children Act. The court may refer the parents for further mediation, which is registered in the statistics as returned from court system. The purpose of mediation is for parents to reach agreement on parental responsibility, the child’s permanent residence and access arrangements.

Mediators

Family counselling offices and external mediators. The county administrator is responsible for ensuring that a competent mediation service is in place, and for granting mediation licences.

Fom 1 January 2008 onwards, Bufetat (the Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs) appoints external mediators as needed; for example, lawyers, priests, social workers, psychologists or others within health and social education. (See "Regulations for mediation by the Marriage Act and the Children Act", § 3 and § 4).

Mediation licences are given to a named individual, and are tied to his/her position and workplace.

Mediation for parents is carried out by qualified professionals in government-approved family counselling offices. External mediators who have been granted a mediation licence are also entitled to work in this field. External mediators are qualified professionals employed by public health and social welfare agencies or the Educational and Psychological Counselling Service (PPT) (e.g. social workers, child welfare officers, psychologists, health visitors), priests or pastors in registered religious communities, as well as psychologists, psychiatrists and solicitors in private practice.

The following Statistics Norway standards are used:

Classification of Family counselling office - Statistics Norway (ssb.no)